ISPs ordered to supply details of illegal file sharers

The crusade against illegal file sharing continues: ISPs have been ordered to supply the details of 150 people accused of violating copyright. A High Court order has been issued to ten ISPs, compelling them to hand over details of the alleged unauthorised file-sharers. The information is to be handed over to the Federation Against Software Theft (FAST), and includes names, addresses and dates of birth. The ISPs have two weeks to comply.

Judge Raynor confirmed that there was "an overwhelming case" for ordering such customer details to be released. ISPs cannot release such customer details without a court order, as this would be a breach of the Data Protection Act.The ISPs involved include BT, Telewest, Tiscali, and NTL.